Mental Health Problems Impact One in Four University Students

A recent YouGov survey has revealed that one in four undergraduates report having mental health problems, whilst among female students the figure rises to a third, compared to 19% for male undergraduates.

The figure was particularly high among LGBT students, with 45% indicating they suffered from mental health issues.

According to the report, the most common problem was that of depression and anxiety, with nearly three quarters of those suffering from a mental health problem reporting both.

More worryingly, of those students who reported they suffered from mental health issues, almost half suggested that the issue affected everyday tasks.

The study from YouGov comes after separate research from the University of Southampton and Solent NHS indicated that financial difficulties and worrying about debt at university increases the risk of mental health conditions such as depression and alcohol dependency.

The YouGov study reported that the primary cause of stress among students was down to the pressure of studying, with seven out of ten saying that university work was the main source of stress.

Although the survey reported high levels of mental health problems, only one in five students said that had made use of university mental health services.